After the ferry crossing, Yael maintains an easy lead. She and Felix ride on through day and night, trying to regain the two hours previously lost to Katsuo. Staggering with exhaustion, they finally stop by the roadside for a quick bite of food when they notice a headlamp approaching. It’s Luka, and he’s furious at being left behind.

He informs them that Katsuo swam to the other side of the ferry, retrieved his bike, and started racing immediately, while Luka lost time making the crossing himself. Katsuo is now less than five kilometers behind Yael. Luka proposes the two of them use the pincer move to take Katsuo out of the race. Felix shakes his head, “giving her the same look he had on the plane: Don’t do this; don’t trust him. But what choice did she have? With Katsuo so far ahead and Tokyo so close” (312). Refusing to heed Felix’s warning, Yael takes off into the night with Luka.

Yael rides slightly ahead and to the left of Luka. They both wait for Katsuo to try to pass them. As he approaches, Luka moves in and crowds Katsuo toward Yael’s bike. Yael grabs hold of Katsuo’s hand and prepares to pull him off his motorcycle.